Hong Kong Shares Green Innovation Experience at Belt and Road Conference 2025 in Beijing.

SEE attends Belt and Road Green Innovation Conference in Beijing

The Secretary for Environment and Ecology, Mr Tse Chin-wan, attended the Belt and Road Green Innovation Conference 2025 held in Beijing today (October 18) to share Hong Kong's experiences in green innovation and directions of promoting environmental protection co-operation with the Belt and Road (B&R) counterparts.

Speaking at the opening ceremony of the conference, Mr Tse said that the world is facing severe challenges such as climate change in recent years. All parties must adhere to the green development concept, ramp up green transition of the society, and collaboratively reduce carbon emissions and pollution, as well as restore and expand ecology. Green innovation has hence become an important driving force for sustainable development in Hong Kong. It not only promotes new areas of economic growth but also creates job opportunities, fostering social prosperity and development.

"Under the 'one country, two systems', Hong Kong has the distinctive advantages of enjoying strong support of the Motherland and being closely connected to the world, fully leveraging our role as a 'super-connector' and promoting green development for our country and B&R countries," Mr Tse said.

Mr Tse highlighted that the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region (HKSAR) Government will set up a B&R sustainable green development training centre next year to cultivate international environmental protection talent. The centre will serve as a base to connect the HKSAR with the international sustainable green development co-operation network, creating an environment that promotes technological exchange and outcome transfer for B&R counterparts.

Mr Tse added that the HKSAR Government is proactively preparing for the setup of a B&R Green Development Co-operation Platform in Hong Kong with the B&R Initiative International Green Development Coalition (BRIGC). The Environmental Protection Department (EPD) will establish a regular communication and collaboration mechanism with the BRIGC to facilitate exchanges and discussions with environmental authorities, related organisations and enterprises of the B&R countries, strengthening the international environmental protection co-operation network.

The HKSAR Government holds the Eco Expo Asia at the end of October every year and utilises it as a platform to arrange environmental technology forums and site visits to Chinese Mainland, as well as to strengthen exchange and co-operation. Mr Tse introduced that the 20th Eco Expo Asia to be held in October this year will arrange for representatives from B&R countries to visit outstanding environmental enterprises and facilities in Changsha of Hunan Province. The aim is to more effectively promote green international exchanges and to seek opportunities for high-quality green enterprises from Chinese Mainland to "go global".

The Director of Environmental Protection, Dr Samuel Chui, also attended the conference. He delivered a keynote speech at a sub-forum titled "Jointly Building Beautiful Cities, Empowering Green Infrastructure with a New Future" in the afternoon. He introduced the Hong Kong Environmental Database developed by the EPD, showcasing how to enhance environmental assessment and improve efficiency through digital empowerment.

The Belt and Road Green Innovation Conference 2025 was hosted by the Ministry of Ecology and Environment, and organised by the BRIGC and the Foreign Environmental Cooperation Center of the Ministry of Ecology and Environment. The theme for this year is "Driving Green Development Together", aligning with the core agenda of the 30th Conference of the Parties to the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change. The conference focuses on the achievements of the Green Silk Road building, building of platforms for exchange and co-operation in green finance, green and low-carbon development, as well as green technology and innovation, which aims to facilitate the integration of green industries with technologies.

Mr Tse will return to Hong Kong this evening.

Source: AI-found images

SEE attends Belt and Road Green Innovation Conference in Beijing Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases

SEE attends Belt and Road Green Innovation Conference in Beijing Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases

SEE attends Belt and Road Green Innovation Conference in Beijing Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases

Source: AI-found images

CHP announces one new melioidosis case

The Centre for Health Protection (CHP) of the Department of Health today (January 16) announced that one new melioidosis case was recorded in the past week (January 9 to 15). The CHP appealed to members of the public to maintain personal and environmental hygiene to prevent melioidosis. The CHP also specifically reminded high-risk groups, including the elderly and people with underlying diseases, to avoid contact with soil or muddy water after typhoons or storms with a view to lowering infection risk.

The case involves a 58-year-old male with underlying illnesses living in Kwai Tsing District. He presented with a fever and vomiting since January 10, followed by confusion on the next day (January 11). He was then sent to the Accident and Emergency Department of Yan Chai Hospital and is currently in the intensive care unit in critical condition. The clinical diagnosis was pneumonia. His clinical sample was confirmed to be positive for Burkholderia pseudomallei upon testing.

The CHP is investigating the infection source of the case. Initial epidemiological investigations revealed that the case is sporadic. No epidemiological linkages have been established between this case and other confirmed cases previously recorded in Hong Kong.

As of yesterday (January 15), one melioidosis case has been recorded in Hong Kong this year. In 2025, 21 melioidosis cases were recorded.

Person-to-person transmission and animal-to-human transmission are rare, but the bacteria causing melioidosis can survive in the local environment. Melioidosis is an endemic disease in Hong Kong, and melioidosis cases have been recorded in Hong Kong each year.

According to literature, melioidosis cases are more common after typhoons or rainstorms. The bacterium Burkholderia pseudomallei in soil and muddy water may become exposed to the ground after typhoons or rainstorms, and the bacteria could spread more easily with strong winds or rainstorms. As such, the number of melioidosis cases may increase.

With this in mind, where practicable, members of the public should stay indoors during typhoons and rainstorms, avoid travelling to areas with potential flooding, and not wade in or have contact with muddy water and soil. In addition, high-risk individuals should avoid paths near stormwater drains where aerosols may be generated from contaminated water.

Members of the public should also take the following preventive measures against infection:

Avoid contact with contaminated soil;

Wear appropriate protective clothing or footwear when participating in activities with possible contact with soil or water, e.g. using gloves and wearing boots. High-risk individuals may also consider wearing a surgical mask;

Wash or shower after exposure to contaminated water or soil;

Always clean any wounds as soon as possible and cover them with waterproof dressings;

Wash hands with liquid soap and water after handling soil or gardening;

Observe food hygiene and avoid drinking raw water; and

Travellers can contract the disease through outdoor water sports. Risk of infection can be minimised by avoiding exposure to water sources (such as rivers, ponds or lakes) that might be contaminated.

The CHP appealed to members of the public to seek medical advice if they develop symptoms, in particular people with diabetes or other immunocompromising conditions, in order to receive an appropriate medical diagnosis and treatment. For more information on melioidosis, please visit the website of the CHP atwww.chp.gov.hk/en/healthtopics/content/24/101110.html.

Source: AI-found images